Charity is one of the fundamental principles of Freemasonry.
St Laurence Lodge is a Grand Patron of the Essex Provincial Charity Fund, the Chelmsford Cathedral Appeal and of the Essex Festival 2011 Appeal in aid of the Grand Charity. Also the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution which looks after the Aged and Sick and runs homes for Masons and non-Masons throughout the country. The Lodge holds the Gold Award for Essex Festival 2000.
The Lodge supports local non-Masonic Charities. It also takes care to look after the Widows of departed Brethren and Brethren in distress. We led the provision of a bus for Corbets Tey School for children with learning difficulties. We have supported the MacMillan Nurses Essex Appeal, Harold Wood Hospital Children’s Fund, Marie Curie Cancer Relief and the British Epilepsy Association. Also the Havering Association for People with Disabilities, British Heart Foundation, Fairhavens Hospice, Little Havens Children’s Hospice and Essex Air Ambulance.
We also donate money to TLC (Teddies for Loving Care). The simple objective is for Freemasons to provide teddy bears and soft toys to Accident and Emergency units. This is so that the medical staff may give them to children admitted who are in severe distress and where the staff feel that a teddy or soft toy to cuddle will help alleviate that stress and assist them in their work.
In St Laurence, we collect money at Lodge meetings and encourage Brethren to contribute by Regular Payment Plans and other direct means. Two of our most active Brethren run an annual Charity Golf Day which is supported by over 60 players each year and contributes to non-Masonic charities. We are grateful to the many sponsors who enable the Golf Day to make so much for Charity.
